When I open up a recent file using start, the documents, in addition to
opening up the file I want, EXCEL also first opens up Book 1 (my blank
template that I tried to modify and, as a result, created this problem).

How can I stop it from doing that, so that it only opens up "book one" if I
click on the EXCEL icon. Or, if it suppress that too, that's OK. I could
just click File, then New to get Book 1.

Thanks!
Dean